2020 was a big year for recreational vehicles and campers, after any and all hopes of international
travel were disrupted.
It hasn't slowed down either, with a 14.2% increase in RV and caravan sales projected
by the end of 2021.
Today we compare the features, price, design, and function of 5 of our favorite towable
campers.
I'm Glenn, and let's get to it.
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The Australian outback features an almost limitless expanse of rugged nothingness to
explore.
For South Australian couple Sam and Jenna Reynolds, they'd spent years traveling the
country in a Landcruiser and soft-floor camper trailer.
Not content with the lack of comfort and convenience of other campers on the market at the time,
engineer Sam designed his own, the hugely popular Raker hard-floor camper trailer under
his Adelaide-based company, Offline Campers.
Built on the galvanized Raker chassis, the Domino measures a floor length of 6.6 feet,
a width of 5.9 feet, and a tare weight of 2646 pounds.
It's completed with a lightweight, yet durable aluminum and stainless-steel body, twin shocks,
jockey wheels, and a 2-foot drawbar extension.
If you're not staying long, two campers can climb into the double bed via a rear door
without having to unload gear and reconfigure the camper.
Perfect for those roadside naps or quick overnighters.
When it's time to make base camp, one press of a button and the fully electric assembly
transforms the Domino into "camp mode."
A 180° Darche awning extends the space further and can be customized with private rooms or curtains.
Onboard you'll find a gas-plumbed stainless-steel slide-out kitchen with a 2-burner stove, sink, and fridge.
There's also a rear, 20-gallon water tank with a high flow pump fixed to a showerhead
or cleaning attachments.
Electrical comes by way of 2, 105 Ah AGM batteries that can be charged by AC or DC mains or optional
roof-mounted solar panels.
This powers camp lighting, USB charging ports, and a single electrical outlet.
With Offline Campers now exporting to the world, the Domino is perfect for a couple
or small family that want generous storage and convenient comfort while off-grid!
I'm Allie and it's Mind's Eye Trivia Time.
By looking at just these images, do you know what this is and where it's from?
Leave the correct answer or your best guess in the comment section below.
The Indiana-based company, InTech RV, has been crafting innovative campers for well
over a decade, servicing a growing niche US market.
They recently partnered with Vivaldi Leisure Home Co to expand part of their line to South Korea.
Their latest offering comes in the 2021 Sol Dawn, the smallest of the Sol camper range
- but by no means the weakest of the three.
Each Dawn starts life as an aluminum cage, welded together with the chassis at the InTech
factory.
The exterior is then fitted, including a large panoramic windshield and a single piece of
high-gloss fiberglass that extends from the nose cap all the way down to the bottom rear
edge of the trailer.
At an overall length of 16 feet, a standing height of 6.4 feet, and a box width of 7 feet,
the Sol Dawn uses a unique tilt-forward design to maximizes the available interior.
Campers have a choice of premium 15" aluminum wheels or raised off-road tires.
You're also going to need leveling blocks to make sure your brand-new Dawn sits flat
on uneven terrain.
We're huge fans of the Camco Heavy Duty Levelling Blocks.
They're cheap, lightweight, reliable, and most importantly, they work.
If you want to check them out, we've put the product link in the description for your convenience.
Once you step inside, the attention to detail becomes evident.
An infinity marine-grade woven nylon covers the flooring, the type usually only reserved
for yachts and high-end boats.
A fully-equipped kitchen is on your left, bordered by an enclosed wet bath complete
with shower, vanity, and porcelain toilet.
But the front of the trailer is the real show-stopper.
A U-shaped dinette complete with panoramic windshield and side windows makes you feel
like you're in the bridge of a spaceship – making the backdrop to any meal spectacular.
Once the sun goes down, the dinette converts into a surprisingly large bed.
72" x 80" to be exact – that's almost a king-size bed in a 16" trailer!
Having fun?
Make sure you stick around to the end, where we compare all the campers in today's video
side by side!
Want to take the family out for a weekend adventure that won't break the bank?
The 2021 Weekender from Australian manufacturer Atlantic Caravans has released their latest
self-contained caravan trailer with a surprising number of included features.
The Weekender is Built on a galvanized 6" Roadrunner chassis and A-frame.
The exterior is a composite cladding bounded by a checker plate.
On the roof, you'll find a single 150W solar panel connected to a regulator and 100Ah lead-acid
battery for your off-grid power requirements.
Rather than opt for a pop-top configuration, Atlantic has decided to use every square inch
of interior space for storage or functional areas.
Inside the two-piece security door, you'll find a queen-sized bed, modular dinette and
couch, elevated fridge/freezer, storage cupboards, and a fully-equipped wet ensuite with a hot-water
shower, toilet, and mirrored vanity in the rear.
Climate control comes courtesy of a Reverse-cycle Ibis air conditioner, and a 24-inch mounted
TV can be comfortably watched from bed.
If you want to bring the kids or some friends along, the ensuite makes way for a double
bunk configuration to sleep up to 4 people.
The kitchen has been relocated to a simple, slide-out alfresco module at the side of the caravan.
It features a barbeque, sink, and ample food prep space.
While the Weekender does not currently sell outside Australia, shipping arrangements can
be arranged for international customers.
Which do you prefer?
Are you a fan of enclosed caravans, or would you instead be exploring in a pop-top camper?
Let us know in the comments below!
If you're a fan of camping and feeling really strong, the Meerkat from San Diego has some
fun little features.
The first is it's impressively lightweight.
At only 900 pounds, it can be towed by almost any 4-cylinder vehicle.
On top of that, it's so light that you can impress your friends and family by unhitching
and maneuvering this mini-camper by hand!
Despite its compact size, once inside, you're able to stand courtesy of a cylindrical pop-top
that increases the interior standing room to a maximum height of just over 6 feet.
In fact, the Meerkat gets its name from how someone looks when they stand up and peer
through the mesh windows.
At only 13 feet long and 5 feet wide, the Meerkat mini camper can fit in most standard
garages – eliminating the need for roadside parking or paid storage.
Inside the fully-insulated trailer, you'll find all the amenities of a full-size caravan,
just dialed down for simplicity.
At the rear is a convertible U-shaped dinette that transforms into a cozy bed for two thanks
to a pull-out shelf and relocatable table.
A small kitchenette with a pump-tap and sink, removable camp stove, icebox, and plenty of
storage cupboards line the front of the trailer.
The Meerkat also uses a porta-potty contained in the rear wall seating.
There's no privacy, so maybe taking the porta potty for a long walk is a better idea than
going inside.
When it comes to keeping the lights running, a 12-volt, 35 Ah deep-cycle sealed lead-acid
AGM battery can be charged by household mains power through the suppled converter.
Solar panels can be added, but they only aid in the recharging of the battery, not the
ongoing operation of RV appliances.
Meerkats are built and sold in San Diego, but they can arrange delivery across the United States.
Would you consider a mini-trailer like the Meerkat for your adventures?
Or do you need the space and functionality of a higher-end camper?
You know the expression "light as a feather"?
Well, New-Mexico-based camper manufacturer, Earth Traveler Teardrop Trailers takes this
expression quite literally.
In collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory SBA, Earth Traveler created a material
made of chicken feathers, resin, and fiberglass.
This ultra-light, super-durable material was weatherproof, heat-insulating, and formed
most of the non-structural components of the trailer.
Likewise, the frame is constructed out of ultra-light carbon fiber, Kevlar, and corocell.
In fact, the smaller of the two models, the T250XL is so light at 250 pounds, it can even
be towed by a motorcycle.
But it's the deceptively versatile configurations that make the Earth Traveler a highly sought-after camper.
Once you've found your perfect campsite and locked your wheels with some heavy-duty wheel
chocks like these ones from Camco, it's time to see the Earth Traveler transform.
Now while it may just look like a capsule bed on wheels with a bit of storage underneath,
the Earth Traveler can actually sleep up to four people with some minor modifications.
The side doors fold out to form two cots, one on either side.
These new "rooms" can be closed off with privacy walls made from tent material.
The window at the front of the Earth Traveler can be opened to extend a hatch – allowing
standing room for the interior cabin.
You won't find much in the way of appliances in the Earth Traveler.
Still, there is an option to add a roof-mounted 100W Solar kit, complete with a 12V panel,
35A Thunderbolt Magnum AGM Battery, regulator, and trickle charger.
Likewise, when it comes to dinner time, there are no built-in facilities.
Earth Traveler does, however, offer a portable kitchen module as an extra.
One of the main draws, however, is the price.
Starting at just $10,000, the Earth Traveler is one of the most affordable teardrops on
the market and continues to impress with its versatility and functionality.
Presently, the Earth Traveler is only available in the US, but the hope of international shipping
in the next few years is certainly in the cards.
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